Germany to abolish controversial gas transit fee in 2025 at earliest

Germany plans to abolish the fee it charges some EU countries, including Czechia, for the transit of natural gas through its territory, State Secretary for Economic Affairs Sven Giegold said on Thursday. He also said the earliest possible date for abolishing the fee is the beginning of 2025, as it requires a change in the legislation.

Czech Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela has praised the decision, adding that it will contribute to strengthening the energy security of Central Europe. Earlier this year, Mr. Síkela filed a protest at the European Commission against the German transit fee on behalf of Czechia, Slovakia, Austria and Hungary, arguing that it undermined efforts to cut Europe’s dependency on Russian gas.

The fee was introduced by Germany in autumn 2022 and is intended to cover the cost of storing gas in storage facilities.